Life on Board part 3.

Two days ago, Easter was celebrated at a special service in the Royal Court Theatre, which each Sunday at 10am is adapted for worship. It was also April 1st. Spot the “spoof”….! The Daily Programme for April 1st. Today, I continue my illustrated blog tour of the ship. My accommodation throughout the voyage is a recently installed Standard Inside stateroom on Deck 13. All that one needs is contained within the confines of the most economic double cabin available on QM2. Its position on the highest passenger deck is conveniently close to an expansive shipwide space where deck games are available as well as a generous area for sunbathing. The flight of stairs at the top of the picture, and one opposite, lead to a kind of mini-promenade deck, above the deck 13 cabins which were installed as part of Queen Mary 2’s remastering in June 2016. I feel this offers the finest side views from most places on board. Views forward are obstructed by masts and other necessary ship’s equipment. The Observation Deck in front of the Atlantic Lounge on deck 11, affords wonderful all-round vistas, particularly, when not crowded. Observation deck (11) looking accross from the port side. Uninterrupted forward view. Towards the aft, port side. Looking back from what I call the mini-promenade deck, which I know as Deck 14 forward. One of the loveliest bar and lounge areas to be found forward on Deck 9 is the Commodore Club. Here, the most creative and imaginative of cocktails are prepared and can be savoured as one gazes, again on uninterrupted views ahead. Speciality coffees are also on offer. Music plays unobtrusively in the back-ground. Prior to dinner, enticing canapes are served with pre dinner drinks. As darkness falls, the window blinds are lowerd and the Commodore Club takes on the ambience of a sophisticated city bar, complete with live pianist for much of the evening. Even more exclusive is Churchill’s an adjacent room where the smoking of cigars is encouraged. Commodore Club. The now famous model of QM2 which has always graced the back wall of the bar of the Commodore Club. Today, our first of two sea days between Nha Trang and Singapore, the clocks were again advanced an hour at noon. It’s time for lunch. The tranquillity of the Commodore Club has been suddenly shattered by the advent of couple of exuberant Americans in loud conversation with an equally flamboyant barman…from north of the Border! At least I enjoyed the first sips of my coffee in peace! To be continued. Thanks for reading. David.